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"A man has the right to look down on somebody only when he is helping him get up"

Gabriel Garcia Marquez 

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Who can replace Michael?  [the King is dead … long live the ….]

What a product?   [Mac does it again]

What a new guitar [from Gibson]

Ever been caught ‘napping’ [asleep on the job?]

Testimonials

Subscriber's Section [ help re copyright for a cover version? ]

The gags: .....      [ a serious one this week – food for thought? ]

 

Who can replace Michael?  [the King is dead … long live the ….] 

The attention to detail … the incessant rehearsals …. The precision of it all. 

Yep, Michael J Jackson was a guy I thoroughly admired.  He was the living proof that it is the hard work, the persistence and diligence that gets you success and not the ‘right time, right place’ .. the ‘contacts’ and the ‘luck’. 

You can see from the footage of the rehearsals for the 50 O2 gigs the amount of work that went into his routines.  Considering that the shows were still weeks away they were in full costume and probably full make-up …. The voice of the director could clearly be heard and I just loved the way Michael took direction completely and totally … the market of a true ‘pro’. 

Who will ever take over?  Considering that his death was felt on a much bigger scale than the last ‘King’ … Elvis… and Princess Di …. I doubt if we will ever see the likes again …. R.I.P.  

"Only actions give life strength; only

moderation gives it a charm." Jean Paul Richter 

What a product?   [Mac does it again] 

I was having lunch today in a typical English pub garden with a barbeque … lovely meal. 

But what struck me? 

The lady on the table next to me had the all time great lap top … Apple Mac, of course.  I had to rush home to look it up on the Net … Oh    My     Gaaaawd!  Check it out … http://www.apple.com/uk/macbookair/features.html 

One Precision aluminium unibody enclosure. 

The revolutionary, precision aluminium unibody design is inherently strong, and it’s part of what allows MacBook Air to weigh only 1.36 kg (3.0 pounds)1 and to be nearly as thin as your index finger. The unibody also makes MacBook Air amazingly durable. So you can throw it in your bag then pull it out wherever you happen to go without a second thought. Learn more about design 

Flat-out faster. 

The Intel Core 2 Duo processor in MacBook Air was designed to fit within the computer’s compact dimensions. Now it delivers speeds not usually found in ultra portable notebooks, thanks to a faster Intel Core 2 Duo running at 1.86GHz or 2.13GHz. And with a 1066MHz front side bus, 2GB of DDR3 memory and 6MB of L2 cache, MacBook Air provides the power for you to be as productive in the air as you are in the office. 

But for the Wow factor … just unbelievable … no deals available, just because everyone wants a Mac. 

"Flowers never emit so sweet and strong a fragrance as before a storm. When a

storm approaches thee, be as fragrant as a sweet-smelling flower."

Jean Paul Richter 

What a new guitar [from Gibson] 

Being a long time Les Paul fan … both his recordings … which started the whole multi track based recording technique… and the guitars he designed. 

His story and involvement in the invention, design and proliferation of multi track machines is truly phenomenal.  I often wonder what he would have done with a modern day Protools set-up. 

Check out the many Utube videos of him when it all started … check out his early recordings with Mary Ford … the first multi tracking singer and not a mean guitarist herself.  And also check out the latest Gibson Les Paul …. 

The new limited edition Les Paul Florentine with Bigsby Tailpiece 

The new 2009 Limited Run Series Les Paul Florentine with Bigsby Tailpiece combines the Les Paul’s iconic form with avant-garde features that keep it one step ahead of everything else. The standard Les Paul cutaway gives way to the wider and deeper Florentine Cutaway. 

Read on:

http://www.guitarsite.com/news/electric_guitar/the_new_limited_edition_les_paul_florentine_with_bigsby_tailpiece/?nl549 

"You can break that big plan into small

steps and take the first step right away." Jean Paul Richter 

Ever been caught ‘napping’ [asleep on the job?] 

When I had my first and only position where I actually worked for a living I was constantly caught asleep …. Well think about it…. Driving two hundred miles to a gig after finishing work [at 5pm] … then home at Goodness knows what time … then in work at 10 am [yep…10 am start…brilliant] 

Oh also I had 1pm to 2.30pm for lunch … what a position?  Yep! 

But listen up to this way of sleeping at your place of work and not being in the least bit embarrassed: 

                When caught sleeping on the job ...

Raise your head slowly and say, "...........in Jesus' name, Amen."  WOW!  You are going to get the most reverential looks … you will get known as Mother Theresa’s brother! 

"Men, like bullets, go farthest when they are smoothest."

Jean Paul Richter 

Testimonials 

“Hi Dec,

DEC, we've never met, but your presence in my personal life has already made an impact.

You're a good man - don't change...(just change me)..

BFN... PHIL WEBSTER.”

“Be great in act, as you have been in thought.”

Jean Paul Richter

Subscriber's Section [ help re copyright for a cover version? ]

Hi Dec 

Could you please help re copyright for a cover version? I've spent hours searching for information on this, with little success. There are two parts to the problem: 

first, how do I actually find the owner of the copyright - it's a fairly old song, so may have changed since the original record was released; 

second, do you have any tips on how to ask their permission? I presume they will not give this automatically to any Tom, Dick or Harry who wants to record their song. 

Your advice would be much appreciated! 

Regards   G****  (SWG member) 

My Reply:    

Our rules are "one short reply to ONE question on music FOR NON-MEMBERS, Members of 'The Serious Writers Guild' have unlimited personal access to Dec by direct telephone, Fax and Email, apply at https://secure.mistral.co.uk/makehits/swgappsecure.htm ".     

[Any advice given here shall not be deemed as financial or legal advice under any existing or future laws of any country] 

G**** 

Nice to hear from you …. What are you up to? 

This subject of ‘covers’ is one of great confusion … and it is so simple. 

<<<<<<<<<< I've spent hours searching for information on this, with little success. There are two parts to the problem:

first, how do I actually find the owner of the copyright - it's a fairly old song, so may have changed since the original record was released;>>>>>>>>>> 

You will not find an info … because no one on the Net really understands … they have never recorded and had hits with covers … I have …. Loads of times! 

The simple fact is that no permission is required from anyone!  Not even King Kong … or his brother [grin!] 

Think in reverse? 

If you gave a track to a publisher and they got it recorded and it was hit … or you had a hit with it.  You, the writer, would then be pushing for the publisher to get others to cover the track … so, for someone to actually cover it without all the work involved is wonderful! 

They simply collect the royalties when the cover is a hit …  My first hit ‘Charmaine’ had been covered 57 times before us…. Ours was the 58th … and made Rapee and Pollock another shed load of money … 

So …. No permission required whatsoever … in the old days the publisher would willingly send you copies of the original on file.  They would even pay for any orchestrations required for TV radio etc. 

<<><<<< second, do you have any tips on how to ask their permission? I presume they will not give this automatically to any Tom, Dick or Harry who wants to record their song.>>>>>>>>>>>> 

No permission required….. 

Samples are a different kettle of fish ….permission is required from the copyright holder of the recording …. Usually held by the recording company … or the artist, if they paid for the recording and leased to the record company.  Very hard to get … as every bedroom recorder is pestering them … 

Changing words or music to an existing song is a no-no … not allowed unless specific permission is received [called a parody] … I did it all the time … but when you have a track record for hits it is never questioned.  Think of the current Pussy Cat Dolls Hit 

Regards

Dec [Cluskey]  dec@makehits.com <mailto:dec@makehits.com>  

2 Gold discs in 2008!  Decca have relaunched their ‘World Of’ series on the back of those hits.  Readers Digest are now promoting a triple album set …. Do you think I can help your music career succeed?  

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The gags: .....      [ a serious one this week – food for thought? ] 

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.  

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible. Thank you, that I can see. Many are blind.  

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.  

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.  

Thank you, for my family. There are many who are lonely.  

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced.  

Thank you, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.  

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.  

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest.  

Thank you, for life.

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